tarragona spain travel guide city routes · 2018. 10. 31. · tarragona spain city routes - travel...

Photo credit: Plaça de la Font © Manel Antolí (RV Edipress) courtesy of Tarragona Tourism

TARRAGONA SPAIN City Routes

BY JACKIE DE BURCA

TARRAGONA SPAIN City Routes - Travel Inspires

Table Of Contents

Roman Route: Tàrraco – UNESCO World HeritageSite Since 2000

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Tarragona Medieval Route 5

Tarragona Modernist Route 8

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Tarragona City Routes - Travel Inspires

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Roman Route: Tàrraco – UNESCOWorld Heritage Site Since 2000Tàrraco was founded in 218 BC, and this wasthe capital of the Roman Empire in HispaniaCiterior. This was the Romans logistical basehere, and covered an impressive space of 60to 70 hectares, which included its own circus,a Roman amphitheatre, the provincial forum,amongst many other elements.

In 2000 this was declared a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site, and below is a breakdown ofthe Tarragona Roman Route.

Plaça del Fòrum (Forum Square) © Alberich Fotògrafs

Please note: In Tarragona city, on Mondays allmonuments are closed except for the Modelof Roman Tarraco, the Cathedral andDiocesan Museum

Follow in the footsteps of the Romans, and�nd out about life during the Roman Era. Thisroute takes you to the UNESCO WorldHeritage Site of Tarraco, where you can seethe temple, walls, amphitheatre, circus, localforum and much more.

Maqueta de la Tàrraco Romana – Model ofRoman Tarraco – Antiga Audiencia, Plaça delPallol, 3 – This is a detailed model of whatTarraco was like at its peak.

Muralles – Walls – Avenida Catalunya, Phone:977 245 796

The Walls (Archaeological Promenade) © Manel Antolí (RV Edipress)

3500 metres of walls were built in the 2ndcentury BC, of which around 1100 metresremain today. The Passeig Arqueològic is thehighlight of the remaining wall, whichborders with the old quarter of Tarragona.Unusual megalithic foundations are revealedin these very well preserved sections.

Temple – Temple – Pla de la Seu

The construction of the Roman circus andprovincial forum had gained the citymonumental status in the second half of the1st century AD. In Tarraco the provincialforum had been constructed around twosquares that were on different terraces – theupper one being the cult complex, whichcontained the magni�cent temple. Of coursetoday’s cathedral is also in this area.


https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/875



Fòrum Provincial – Provincial Forum – Plaçadel Pallol, Pl. del Forum and Pl. del Rei

The lower square of the forum measured 318metres by 175 metres, and was enveloped onthree sides by a portico, inside of which todayyou can still see a number of inscribedpedestals.

Circ – Roman Circus – Rambla Vella

Front of the Circus © Alberich Fotògrafs

This is one of the best preserved examples ofa Roman circus in the Western world, whereonce our ancestors would have seen chariotraces.

Am�teatre – Amphitheatre – Parc del’Am�teatre Romà

As you may expect from �lms, this was wherethe �ghts and entertainment used to takeplace – so everything from �ghts betweengladiators, to wild beast �ghts, and publicexecutions.

Am�teatrvm © Manel Antolí (RV Edipress)

Museu Nacional Arqueològic – NationalArchaeological Museum (MNAT) – Plaça delRei 5

In the 19th century this museum was foundedto merge two earlier museums, and todaythere is a fascinating, invaluable collection ofruins from Roman times. The exhibition atthe museum presents a summary of eightcenturies of Tarraco’s (Roman Tarragona)history. At the time of writing (October 2018)the main museum building at the aboveaddress is undergoing renovations. Howeveryou can still discover Tarraco and view aselected collection of MNAT in the Port, atTinglado 4.




Fòrum Local – Local Forum – Carrer Lleida

This was the forum of daily life, but a fair bitof it was destroyed because of 19th centuryurban expansion.

Local Forum © Alberich Fotògrafs

Necròpolis Paleocristiana i ConjuntPaleocristià del Francolí – PaleochristianNecropolis and Francolí River PaleochristianComplex – Avenida Ramón y Cajal 84

A burial ground was started here in themiddle of the 3rd century AD, which includesthe remains of St. Fructuosus.

Vil·la de Centcelles – Centcelles Villa – 4km –Afores, Constantí

The remains you can see today are most likelyof a villa which was thought to be builtaround the 4th century AD, althoughoriginally there are signs that it dates backto to around the 2nd to 1st centuries BC, ofhabitation.

Aqüeducte – Aqueduct – 4km on N240 toLleida

Of two aqueducts that were built during the1st century AD, the one that the Francolíriver fed, which was around 15 km long, istoday the most interesting survivingstretch, with around 217 metres remaining.

Although it’s of�cial name is Les FerreresAqueduct, it is best known as the Devil’sBridge. This is because there is a legend thatthe devil built the bridge. We havemodernised that legend for 21st centurychildren and you can read it here: Daniel thedonkey and the devil’s deal.

Tarraco Viva © Manel Antolí (RV Edipress)

Torre dels Escipions – Scipio Tower – 6km onN340 to Barcelona

Situated off the Via Augusta, this is a funeralmonument constructed with large ashlars,during the early 1st century AD.


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Pedrera del Mèdol – Mèdol Quarry – 8km onN340 Barcelona direction, by the service areaof Medol

You can actually see many walls here, fromwhere the Romans would have extractedblocks of stone.

Vil·la dels Munts – Els Munts Villa – 14km –Passeig del Fortí, Altafulla

Just on the boundaries with Altafulla, you cansee a Roman villa that is impressive in termsof some of the surviving rooms, and the factthat there were actually three differentbathing complexes.

Arc de Berà (MNAT) – Berà Arch (MNAT) –20km from Tarragona, N-340 Roda de Berà

Berà Arch © Manel Antolí (RV Edipress)

The N-340 is the National 340 road that runsright down to the south of Spain, and theBerà Arch was built back in the late 1stcentury BC, dedicated to Emperor Augustus,on what was in those days the Via Augusta.One of Catalonia’s best known monuments,because of its shape and location, originally itwas decorated with Corinthian moulding andpilasters, crowned by a frieze, architrave,attic and cornice.

The Tarragona Tourist Board has created anapp which you can download by clicking onTarragona Roman Route.

Tarragona Medieval RouteThere are a number of medieval monumentspreserved in the city of Tarragona, of richartistic heritage. This route takes you to anumber of sites which include the churchesfrom this period, the King’s Castle and theProvost’s castle, and of course thespectacular cathedral.

The Walls (Archaeological Promenade) © Manel R. Granell


https://www.tarragonaturisme.cat/en/imageen-app



La Muralla – The Wall, Arandes Tower,Montges Tower and Tintoré Tower

The city already had Roman walls, which bymedieval times needed some maintenanceand repair, although the southern closureneeded to be entirely re-done. This wasreinforced by the towers named above.

El Pla de la Seu – Cathedral Area – CarrerMajor 39 and Carrer Merceria

Here you’ll experience the city’s area whichmost retains its medieval ambience. There area number of notable Gothic structures here,such as the Casa Balcells and the ancientrectory.

La Catedral de Santa Tecla Tarragona –Tarragona Cathedral and the Cloister and theDiocesan Museum- Pla de la Seu

A truly magni�cent cathedral, please refer tothe Tarragona Monuments Section (comingsoon) to read more about this, which alsoincludes information on the Cloister andDiocesan Museum.

Tarragona Cathedral © Alberich Fotògrafs

La Capella de Sant Pau – The Chapel of SaintPaul – Carrer Sant Pau 4

This is one of a number of religious buildingswhich has been conserved from the 12th/13thcenturies. Austere in the interior, it has arectangular entrance, decorated with amullion, with a rose window which crowns it.

Another one of the preserved 12th/13thcentury religious buildings, inside of specialnote are two arcosolia, each of which containa sacrophagus.

L’esglesia de Sant Llorenç – The Church ofSaint Lawrence – Plaça de la Pagesia

This church is the only place of worship,which is entirely Gothic, left in Tarragona.Rebuilding was done in 1362 and inside thereare two important medieval works – a lateGothic exquisite chalice and the spectacularSaint Lawrence altarpiece.




L’Antic Hospital de Santa Tecla – The AncientHospital of Saint Tecla – Carrer les Coques 3

In 1171 the hospital was founded, but as onlythe façade can be seen today, nothing isknown about the original layout, howeverwhat is there is worth seeing.

Call Jueu Tarragona – Tarragona JewishQuarter – Plaça dels Àngels, Tarragona 43003

Back in the 12th century the Call Jueu wasentirely separate from the other parts of thecity, linked only by four gateways to connectit to the outside world.

From the 14th century, however, the JewishQuarter went into a decline, and in 1492 theywere expelled. Today much of this interestinglabyrinth of streets has been partiallydestroyed due to old urban planningreformations, as well as some demolition.

El Castell del Rei – The King’s Castle – Plaçadel Rei

At the beginning of Christian re-settlement,the King’s Castle was built on the site wherethere was a Roman tower and until 1171 it wasthe city’s Norman family’s residence. When itpassed back to the crown, it had restorationwork done, and today you can see itssouthern façade, as well as the walls andarcades of its interior.

El Castell del Paborde – The Provost’s Castle– Avenida Catalunya

In the early 19th century this was destroyedand today it’s only its northern façade thatyou can see, as well as the Archbishop’stower. It is situated where the Archbishop’sPalace stands.

L’església de Santa Maria del Miracle – TheChurch of our Lady of the Miracle – Parc del’Am�teatre Romà

The remains of the church, which is actuallysituated at the very centre of the RomanAmphitheatre, date from the 12th/13thcentury.




Tamarit – 10km from Tarragona, N-340 KM1171 Tarragona to Altafulla

For more information please refer to theTarragona Monuments Section (coming soon).

Tamarit Castle © Pau Lagunas

Tarragona Modernist RouteFind out about the city’s Modernist legacy,which reveals the beauty of the architecture,as well as the lifestyles of the people of thatperiod.

The route includes 23 different examples,amongst them the Tomb of King Jaume I, theSlaughterhouse, the Central Market, theMetropole Theatre, the Ximenis House andlots more.

1. El Teatre Metropol – Metropole Theatre –Rambla Nova 46

A modernist building constructed in 1908,the Metropole is a covered theatre situatedat 46 Rambla Nova.

We can see in the work the of the architect,Josep Maria Jujol, a clear in�uence of AntonGaudí. The design intends to be a boat whichleads the spectators to the sea of salvation.




2. El Cambril del Convent dels ParesCarmelites Descalços – The Shrine of theConvent of the Barefoot Carmelites

In 1896, the architect Pau Monguió i Segura,designed the plans for this project. Outsidevisitors can see a Modernist façade, alongwith Neo-Gothic elements on the church’sportal. The bell tower is styled with sculpturaland ceramic tiles decoration.

3. La Capella de l’església de Sant Francesc –The Chapel of the Church of St Francis

This convent of St. Augustine formerlybelonged to the Jesuits. It is classed as acultural asset of local interest and itsartistic value is because of its link withworks of Rome and as an example of whatwas known as the Escola del Camp (TheSchool of the Camp – being the area).

These days it belongs to the parish of SanFrancisco (Sant Francesc in Catalan.)

4. La Casa Ximenis – Ximenis House

Another work of the architect, Jossep MariaJujol, is the beautiful Modernist building, CasaXimenis. This work of 1914, was ratherchallenging as the building is attached to theRoman wall.

The striking Modernist building climbs up tothree �oors, embellished with lots ofbeautiful sgraf�to and wrought iron railingswhich knot on its balconies.




Jujol left reminders of his religious fervourwith an inscription of Ave Maria on thehouse’s entrance door and an inscription onthe upper façade, in Greek letters fashionedfrom wrought iron, which reads: JHS – JesusSalvador de los Hombres (Jesus Saviour ofMen).

5. L’església de Sant Llorenç del Gremi dePagesos de Sant Llorenç i Sant Isidre

This Gothic Church suffered during theSpanish Civil War, and it was Jujol’s brotherin law, whom got Jujol involved in restorationand design work. The various works of Jujolthat can be seen there are later examples ofhis work. One of which is the 1942 passage ofthe Holy Sepulcher, made of wood andadorned with a �ne layer of gold.

6. El Santuari de Nostra Senyora del SagratCor – the Sanctuary of Our Lady of theSacred Heart

Another work of Jujols that was built in 1923,is the Church of the Sacred Heart, located inthe Vista Bella neighbourhood of Tarragona.

Not only did was he responsible for itsstructure and architecture, but as he was aProfessor at the School of Arts and Craft, Jujolalso designed the furniture and decorativeelements, including lamps, candle holders,rails, bars and doors.




Below are the remaining 17 Modernisthighlights that you can visit in Tarragona.

7. El Mausoleu de Jaume I 8. L’ostensori de la catedral 9. L’escorxador 10. La Casa Ripoll 11. La Barana del Balcó del Mediterrani 12. La Casa Salas 13. La Casa Bofarull 14. El Convent de les Teresianes (Col·legiSanta Teresa de Jesús) 15. La Casa del doctor Aleu 16. L’edi�ci de la Cambra O�cial de Comerç,Indústria i Navegació 17. La Casa Rabadà o Casa Vallvé 18. La Casa Porta Mercadé 19. El Mercat Central 20. La fàbrica de la Chartreuse 21. El vell Hotel Continental 22. El rellotge del port 23. La Quinta de Sant Rafael




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tarragona spain travel guide city routes · 2018. 10. 31. · tarragona spain city routes - travel...

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